ATHENS, Ala. – Randy Brewer of South Lake, TX won the American Bass Anglers Open Series Texas East Division, held February 3rd at Cedar Creek. Running out of Log Cabin, TX, the 67-boat field left at 0644 AM for the boaters, 13 places were paid out and it took 10.38 pounds to make the cut.

Brewer caught a five-fish limit weighing 21.57 lbs with a healthy 6.21-pound kicker. For the boater division victory, he took home a check for $5000.

“I was throwing a chatterbait and a brush hog. I spent a couple hours practicing yesterday and hit the same spots today, then tried to duplicate those areas with some time left. It started early for me, but I struggled throughout the day. I only had 5 keepers today so I was glad to get the bites I did.” Said Brewer.

In second for the boaters, Garrett Whitley of Quintan, TX landed a five-bass limit weighing 20.92 lbs held up by a 5.69 lb. kicker. He collected a check for $1250.

“It was a rough day for me. I started at the dam and nothing happened for us. I put a bit of a pattern together just running around and trying to figure them out. Later in the afternoon it came together with some better bites and I was able to get them in the boat to come in with what I had. It was a grind, but it worked out. I was just a little shy today.” Said Whitley

Russell Lee of Sachse, TX, last year’s defending champion on Cedar Creek took third for the boaters with a limit of five bass weighing 20.12 lbs and took home a check for $900.00

“I stayed shallow most of the day and caught most of them throwing a crankbait and on a chatterbait. I did catch a couple deep. I was able to cull quite a bit. I had 12 or 13 keepers today and the bite was pretty steady.” Said Lee.

In fourth, Trent Menees of Saginaw, TX had a solid bag for 15.57 lbs, and Terry peacock of Royse City, TX came in with a solid bag of 15.01 lbs to take the fifth-place honors.

In the Co-Angler Division, JoeFrank Thomas of Forney, TX blew past the field with a monster 3 fish limit at 13.05 lbs, anchored by his 5.44 lb. big bass. His performance filled his pocket with a check for $1500 for the win with an additional $250 for big bass.

“I caught some fish! It was all day for us. I culled throughout the day, but I have to give the credit to my boater. We caught them deep and shallow but mostly on a frog. What a day to be able to come in with 13 lbs. I had a blast. The weather turned a little sour on us this afternoon but that’s fishing. You just have to roll with what Mother Nature throws at you.” Said Thomas.

Taking second for the co-anglers, Aaron Uncapher of Tyler, TX came in weighing a 3-fish limit for 6.11 lbs. His placement earned him a check for $500. The gap from first to second place goes to show how tough the conditions were on Saturday.

“Dwain (Burns) and I had an interesting day. we were without use of the outboard after our initial run in the morning. It started working again as we were being towed in around 1:45. Dwain chose a good area as we were able to boat 7 keepers between the two of us. I feel that Dwain would have earned a check with the use of his motor. We wasted some time fishing unproductive water in between the better spots in addition to a 45 minute idle trying to make repairs. I think of the 7-bass boated, six different baits were used. Dwain had us in the right area. I missed one on a wacky senko. As soon as Dwain turned the boat around for another pass, I changed colors and was able to catch that bass 15 minutes later. My two better fish came off a Blk/Blu War Eagle football jig with a zoom craw trailer and a tex-rigged Yamamoto Kreature in green pumpkin. All my bass came shallow.” Stated Aaron.

David Hester of Frankston, TX placed third among the co-anglers. He had three fish weighing in at 5.91 lbs to earn a check for $400.

“My boater started off pretty good, but I didn’t catch any fish until the last 2 hours of the day. We stayed with the same pattern all day but found the right spot in the afternoon and slugged it out. We were up shallow, and they finally started biting.” Stated David.

In fourth place among the co-anglers, Jeremy Montgomery of Mansfield, TX brought in three bass for 5.80 lbs. Lat Nichols of Deport, TX finished in fifth place with three bass at 4.85 lbs even.

The biggest bass for the boaters was caught by Ryan Autry Richardson, TX weighing in at 7.19 lbs for $670. With only 3 fish, Ryan placed in the event taking home two checks from the weight of his big fish. Well done to all!

Slated for March 24th, the next divisional tournament will be held on Lake Palestine launching from the Villages Marina. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance to the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, slated for the first week of April 2019 on Lake Eufaula, AL.

For more information on this tournament, call Chris Wayand, tournament manager, at 256-230-5627 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see http://www.abaopenseries.com/ .

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.